If You Could Start A Religious Order/community, What Would It Be, Or L

[The Historian]

Tradional/modern
Habit/non-habit
Monastic-contemplative/apostolic activity
Community living/off-site
Mind-body health issues allowed/not allowed
Higher education requirement/not a factor
Spirituality
Means of supporting the community
Family members visits,letter writing,use of technology
Permit pets/no pets (not referring to animals used for food or products-cheese etc)
Why would your community attract women and or men (of all ages)
What makes it stand out
Located in the city/outskirts

​Name: Brothers of Wisdom
Traditional/modern: Traditional.  Ideally pre-Pian Psalter, post-Pian calendar reforms, pre-55 Holy Week.
Habit/non-habit: Habit.  Simple black cassock, with preaching bands.  The cassock may have two pockets.  One pocket is to contain a crucifix and rosary, the other is to contain a book of Gospels and psalms.  The men are permitted to bring bags with them for storing breviaries, liturgical items, pamphlets, catechism books, etc.
Monastic/contemplative-apostolic activity: Apostolic activity founded on a strong personal contemplative experience.  The purpose of the Brothers of Wisdom will be two-fold.  As consecrated slaves of Mary they will fulfil all works of spiritual and corporal mercies as possible, to win Our Lady many graces to dispense to whomever she will.  There will be a particular emphasis on providing catechesis.  They will roam around, from town to town, preaching on the streets, in the churches, and educating children and adults in the truths of the faith.
Community living/off-site: Living off-site in pairs of two, with only one mother house which also serves as a "seminary" and retirement home.
Mind/body health issues allowed/not allowed: Be of sound constitution, both of mind and body.
Higher education requirement/not a factor: High school graduate minimum, no option of progressing in further study until retirement from active apostolate.
Spirituality: French School/Montfortian.
Means of supporting the community: Purely by alms and charity for those "in the field".  The men will only be allowed to possess a rosary, crucifix, gospels/psalms, breviary, and apostolate materials.  At 8pm every day they give everything else to the poor, and leave it by the roadside if necessary.  God will provide.  Donations to help run the mother house/"seminary"/retirement home.
Family visits, letters and technology: No family visits whilst out "in the field".  Permitted 1 week visit with family per year.  Letters only whilst resident in the mother house.  Technology reserved for mother house to facilitate contact with Rome, donors, etc., and retired students.  The brothers on the missions will have no technology.
Pets/no pets: No pets, unable to provide for their health and wellbeing.
Why would your community attract others: Men must be between 16-25 years of age when initially discerning with the community.  God will attract them.
What makes it stand out: Complete dependence on Divine Providence.
Located in the city/outskirts: For the wanndering preachers, wherever they are needed.  Mother house in a beautiful part of nature.

[John Paul]

I would be the first to join but I could not live with only one other community member.Will they wear the roman collar with the cassock?

[John Paul]

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​Phuture Priest ,

What about the LOTH?

Edited April 16, 2015 by John Paul

[John Paul]

The nuns would not wear a cape they already have a cap,wimple,and collar.,

[The Historian]

I would be the first to join but I could not live with only one other community member.Will they wear the roman collar with the cassock?

​It's to ideally live up to the Gospel commission of going around in twos.  It would be extremely challenging, of course.  If you're out for months at a time with only one other individual, what do you do if said individual is a bit of a... pain in the rear end?  It's designed to provide maximum merit for Our Lady to distribute to souls in need!

No Roman collars, the preaching bands suffice for that.  Preaching bands > Roman collars!

[PhuturePriest]

​Phuture Priest ,

What about the LOTH?

​The Liturgy of the Hours are mandatory, so I didn't think it was worth mentioning it. If you look, it says "special devotions", meaning optional prayer devotions such as the Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

[John Paul]

Oh,sorry.

[Alberto Guimaraes]

On 7/3/2013 at 8:32 PM, OnlySunshine said:

white knee socks; black oxford shoes or sandals

 

Peace and Good!

No socks. Only during a rigorous winter or health troubles. Shoes too..

Sandals yes! Better bare feet.

Blessings!

Br. Alberto Guimaraes OFS

Braga ─ Portugal

 

[gloriana35]

It is unthinkable that I ever would have founded a religious community - but I'm wondering if this thread is totally serious or a bit of 'make believe.' Some of the details some have included puzzle me. The schedules some of you envision could be overwhelming! And who is thinking about whether someone wears socks? Why are some against contact with others?

With the rich traditions left by many a founder, I would see there being plenty already there to embrace - and the essence of the commitment being the proper focus.

[Feankie]

This thread is about 7 years old.  I can't remember why it was started in the first place......

[gloriana35]

This vaguely reminds me of little girls playing with bride and groom paper dolls, talking about every detail of their planned wedding day... which may be 20 years away. 

[Alberto Guimaraes]

On 7/6/2013 at 4:27 AM, TheresaThoma said:

When I was about 12, I had a fantasy about living as a religious hermit in a cave near the ocean.

PEACE AND GOOD!

When I was 13, I lived in front of Atlantic Ocean, and I raised my religious vocation praying at a ground floor of my house which was not finished concerning building works, and the exterior walls was made of granite stone, without any coating!

A cave near the ocean, so!

Blessings!

Br. Alberto

[luigi999]

ok I am game: 

Tagline: “there is no past in Bethany, only the present and future hope” Bl Lataste

“We are consecrated laymen, rooted in the charism of Bethany, building lives of prayer, brotherhood, and mercy—open to all, especially those whom the world has cast aside.”

the project or institute of consecrated life would allow: 

Young men searching for meaning or healing

Former prisoners or those working in prison ministry

Lay Dominicans or spiritual seekers

Volunteers in social justice, addiction recovery, and mental health

Catholic men disillusioned with traditional structures but open to renewal

catholic men who are married (and their spouse) to be full members

there is no discrimination on color, sex, sexual orientation etc

admittance on a case by case basis. 

I am based in Italy and I have already created a facebook page: brothers of  bethany, Instagram brothers_of_bethany

we plan to have a website as well. 

should you have any ideas, wish to join etc..shoot me an email at profesorluigi   at gmail   also available to chat via whatsapp or video conference

 

full info? sureee 

 

ENGLISH
We are consecrated laymen inspired by the charism of the Dominican Sisters of Bethany, founded on the vision of Blessed Jean-Joseph Lataste. Rooted in Dominican spirituality and mercy, we form a community open to all—especially the forgotten, the formerly incarcerated, and those living on the margins.

Like the first brothers of the early Church, we do not live in a single monastery but in our own homes and cities, united in prayer, shared mission, and vowed life. We gather regularly, support one another in fraternal love, and live the Gospel through both contemplation and action.

We believe that holiness is not reserved for the perfect, and that the wounds of the past are no obstacle to God's call.

ITALIANO
Siamo laici consacrati ispirati al carisma delle Suore Domenicane di Betania, fondato sulla visione del Beato Jean-Joseph Lataste. Radicati nella spiritualità domenicana e nella misericordia, formiamo una comunità aperta a tutti—specialmente ai dimenticati, agli ex detenuti e a coloro che vivono ai margini.

Come i primi fratelli della Chiesa primitiva, non viviamo in un unico monastero, ma nelle nostre case e città, uniti nella preghiera, nella missione condivisa e nella vita consacrata. Ci riuniamo regolarmente, ci sosteniamo a vicenda con amore fraterno e viviamo il Vangelo attraverso la contemplazione e l’azione.

Crediamo che la santità non sia riservata ai perfetti e che le ferite del passato non siano un ostacolo alla chiamata di Dio.

ESPAÑOL
Somos laicos consagrados inspirados por el carisma de las Hermanas Dominicas de Betania, fundado en la visión del Beato Jean-Joseph Lataste. Enraizados en la espiritualidad dominicana y la misericordia, formamos una comunidad abierta a todos—especialmente a los olvidados, los ex encarcelados y los que viven en los márgenes.

Como los primeros hermanos de la Iglesia primitiva, no vivimos en un solo monasterio sino en nuestras propias casas y ciudades, unidos en oración, misión compartida y vida consagrada. Nos reunimos regularmente, nos apoyamos en fraternidad y vivimos el Evangelio a través de la contemplación y la acción.

Creemos que la santidad no está reservada para los perfectos y que las heridas del pasado no son obstáculo para el llamado de Dios.

OUR CHARISM

We follow the path of Bethany:

A place where the excluded are welcomed

Where prayer meets real suffering

Where mercy redefines identity

Where no one is defined by their past

We live by the truth that "the greatest saints have a past, and the greatest sinners have a future."
Our community includes:

Men in the free world

Formerly incarcerated individuals

Life-sentenced brothers called to contemplative life behind bars

We are united by Dominican preaching, shared prayer, and the redemptive fire of Christ’s mercy.

A HOME FOR YOU?

This path may be for you if you:

Seek to live a life of Gospel mercy

Are drawn to contemplative prayer and community

Feel called to serve the outcast and imprisoned

Have a personal past in need of redemption and purpose

Are a former prisoner, activist, or spiritual seeker

FORMATION & LIFE

Flexible. Honest. Real.
We offer a path of formation that fits your reality:

Inquiry & Discernment

Initial Formation (remote or with brothers nearby)

Private Vows (under a secular institute)

Fraternal life in the world or in prison

All under the umbrella of the Bethany charism.

PRIVACY & DIGNITY

In keeping with the GDPR and the fourth vow of our charism—that one's past should never be revealed unless duly authorized—we strictly protect the identities of our members. No last names, personal information, or photos of brothers will be made public. Our communication, storytelling, and imagery respect this sacred commitment to anonymity and mercy.

[luigi999]

On 7/5/2013 at 1:53 PM, ACS67 said:

I understand your frustrations Nikita.  I'm 45 years old.  My options are limited as well. However, at some point I have to resign myself that if no religious order accepts me than it is God's will.  I can either choose to fight that or accept it.  One will make me happy, the other miserable. 

if you are willing, God will open the door. As it stands , I already started looking into opening a secular institute with vows without walls ! Intrigued? well the order would allow single, married and everyone else in. Charism? Father Lataste

"There is no past in Bethany, only the present and future hope" 

more info? sure    shoot me a message at     profesorluigi        at     gmail

May Father Lataste bless u